Without Dad- First Coop I'm Building Alone- Willing to Buy Plans!

[Hemlock Hollow]

Hello everyone,

I'm from Pennsylvania and wishing to buy or find for free a good plan to go by. It needs to be good enough for Pennsylvania winters, but inexpensive enough that a just-about-to-graduate college student can manage. Fortunately, my dad (who unfortunately recently passed away and normally would be my guidance on this) left a lot of tools, insulation, nails, screws, saws, drills, and leftover lumber and goodies for the project.

I'm willing to buy a plan that's worth it, but I really need to pinch pennies as well. Is there a book or plan you suggest? I was fascinated by the open air plans of that professor, but can't seem to find a plan to go off of. Can't have too much air, as frostbite on the combs has already happened to leghorn chickens in a well insulated coop of mine.

How big? Anywhere from 8-15 chickens is fine with me.

 

[speedy2020]

Hello everyone,

I'm from Pennsylvania and wishing to buy or find for free a good plan to go by. It needs to be good enough for Pennsylvania winters, but inexpensive enough that a just-about-to-graduate college student can manage. Fortunately, my dad (who unfortunately recently passed away and normally would be my guidance on this) left a lot of tools, insulation, nails, screws, saws, drills, and leftover lumber and goodies for the project.

I'm willing to buy a plan that's worth it, but I really need to pinch pennies as well. Is there a book or plan you suggest? I was fascinated by the open air plans of that professor, but can't seem to find a plan to go off of. Can't have too much air, as frostbite on the combs has already happened to leghorn chickens in a well insulated coop of mine.

How big? Anywhere from 8-15 chickens is fine with me.

There are plenty of books from the library that you can borrow. I used free shipping box for my coop. The only issue is the weigh so not portable. You don't need a very big coop for 15 chickens (4' x 8') will do, but the big run is a must.

 

[aart]

Can't have too much air, as frostbite on the combs has already happened to leghorn chickens in a well insulated coop of mine.

Lack of ventilation, and resultant moisture remaining in coop air,
is more cause for frostbite than 'too much 'air'.

Woods Open Air coop book is available for free online.
And this thread will tell you all about one of the best I've seen built:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/woods-style-house-in-the-winter.445004/

ETA: Here's the link to the book:
https://books.google.com/books?id=o...&oi=book_result&ct=result#v=onepage&q&f=false

ETA2: Sorry about your dad